BellSouth Classic prize money history
Winning the BellSouth Classic paid $324,000 in 1998, which is $665,850 at August 2026 prices. In 2008 it paid $990,000. On the face of the cheque that is 3.06 times as much. In real terms it is 2.31 times as much, 8.7% a year after inflation.
Every BellSouth Classic winner's cheque, then and now
Newest first. Today's money is at August 2026 prices.
| YEAR | WINNER | PAID | TODAY | $1 THEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ryuji Imada | $990,000 | $1,540,295$1.5m | $1.56 |
| 2007 | Zach Johnson | $972,000 | $1,570,355$1.6m | $1.62 |
| 2006 | Phil Mickelson | $954,000 | $1,585,173$1.6m | $1.66 |
| 2005 | Phil Mickelson | $900,000 | $1,543,687$1.5m | $1.72 |
| 2004 | Zach Johnson | $810,000 | $1,436,389$1.4m | $1.77 |
| 2003 | Ben Crane | $720,000 | $1,310,791 | $1.82 |
| 2002 | Retief Goosen | $684,000 | $1,273,632 | $1.86 |
| 2000 | Phil Mickelson | $504,000 | $980,429 | $1.95 |
| 1998 | Tiger Woods | $324,000 | $665,850 | $2.06 |
Today's money restates each cheque for the rise in US consumer prices from the year it was paid to August 2026. The last column is what one dollar that year buys today.
What winning it paid, at today's prices
The champion's cheque at August 2026 prices, 1998 to 2008
The biggest in real terms is 2006, not 2008: Phil Mickelson's cheque is worth more today than the newest one.
What winning it paid, on the cheque
The champion's cheque as paid, 1998 to 2008
On the cheque the 1998 to 2008 rise is 3.06 times, 11.8% a year. Prices rose 1.32 times over the same run, which is the gap between this chart and the one above.
Against the rest of the tour
Real growth a year in the winner's cheque, the events either side of this one
| # | TOURNAMENT | SINCE | A YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kemper Open | 1997 | +13.4% |
| 2 | The International | 1997 | +11.7% |
| 3 | Doral-Ryder Open | 1998 | +10.5% |
| 0 | BellSouth Classic | 1998 | +8.7% |
| 5 | TOUR Championship | 2004 | +8.4% |
| 6 | Buick Open | 1997 | +8.1% |
| 7 | Butterfield Bermuda Championship | 2019 | +8.0% |
| 8 | Arnold Palmer Invitational | 1996 | +7.5% |
| 9 | Memorial Tournament | 1997 | +6.2% |
| 10 | RBC Heritage | 1998 | +6.0% |
| 11 | BMW Championship | 1996 | +5.6% |
| 12 | U.S. Open | 1997 | +5.5% |
| 13 | The Open Championship | 1996 | +5.4% |
| 14 | The Genesis Invitational | 1999 | +5.3% |
| 15 | Travelers Championship | 2001 | +5.1% |
| 16 | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | 1998 | +5.0% |
| 17 | FedEx St. Jude Championship | 2001 | +4.9% |
| 18 | PGA Championship | 1997 | +4.7% |
| 19 | Farmers Insurance Open | 1996 | +4.5% |
| 20 | Masters Tournament | 1999 | +4.3% |
| 21 | WM Phoenix Open | 1996 | +4.3% |
| 22 | THE PLAYERS Championship | 1996 | +4.1% |
| 23 | The Sentry | 2005 | +3.7% |
Each rate runs from the first winner's cheque we hold at that event to the most recent, so two events that start in different years are measured over different runs. The BellSouth Classic is 4th of 62.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the BellSouth Classic winner get in 1998?
Tiger Woods took $324,000. At August 2026 prices that is $665,850.
Has BellSouth Classic prize money kept up with inflation?
Yes. The winner's cheque grew 11.8% a year between 1998 and 2008 and prices rose less than that, so in real terms it grew 8.7% a year. That is 4th of the 62 tournaments we hold a run for.
When did winning the BellSouth Classic pay the most in today's money?
2006, when Phil Mickelson took $954,000. At August 2026 prices that is $1,585,173, more than the $1,540,295 the 2008 win is worth at the same prices.
Where to next
The rest of the BellSouth Classic money
BellSouth Classic prize money carries every champion, the BellSouth Classic all-time earners ranks every golfer it has paid, and the BellSouth Classic cut counts who made it each year.